Democracy Initiative Weekly Update 2.28.19

AFL-CIO ENDORSES THE "FOR THE PEOPLE ACT"

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD TRUMKA, PRESIDENT OF AFL-CIOOn February 26, DI partner AFL-CIO issued a statement of support for HR 1, the massive suite of democracy reforms making its way through the House, and now joins the coalition of DI groups who have fought to improve the bill and continue to push for bolder, more comprehensive reform at the state and national level.

Statement in support of HR 1 from Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President:

“For many years, special interests have used their influence to disenfranchise communities of color and take away their voice and their right to be part of our democratic process. H.R. 1 is a major step toward reducing the influence of big money in our democracy and restoring equal access to the ballot box for all voters.”—Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President

SAVE THE DATEDemocrats in the House are expected to bring H.R. 1 to a vote in a week, on ​Thursday, March 7.​ Here are a few ways to engage:

Prepare statements and amplify the win on all social media channels.

Send us a quote from your principal in support of H.R. 1 and a photo to use in a collage,to bring more organizations to the table and continue to gain momentum for democracy reform. Email quotes and pictures to Getachew at gkassa@democracyinitiative.org​.​

DI partner Common Cause is still collecting petition signatures for delivery on H.R. 1, demanding that US Representatives and Senators support a democracy that works for the people, not special interests and entrenched politicians. Sign here.

DEMOCRACY ON THE MARCH

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TEXAS' SECRETARY OF STATE ATTEMPTS TO PURGE VOTERS U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled to block an effort by Texas' acting Secretary of State David Whitley launched last month to probe suspected non-citizens on the voter rolls. Whitley’s office publicly announced that 98,000 non-citizens were suspected of being on the voter rolls, 58,000 of whom had voted in an election over a 22-year period. But many of our coalition members and watchdog organizations pointed to the flimsy, racist procedure would wrongfully purge voters from the rolls, as it has in many other counties across the country.

ILLINOIS BECOMES FIRST MIDWEST STATE TO PASS $15 MINIMUM WAGECongratulations to DI partners and allies AFL-CIO Illinois, Fight for $15, SEIU, and other coalition members for advancing the fight for a livable wage for all workers. On February 19, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a measure to increase the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. American workers need 15 and a Union, and this is only the beginning. Read more here.